The SEC is college football's premier conference with powerhouses such as Florida and Alabama leading the way. In this article, I have made my predictions on how I see the SEC playing out this year.
SEC East Predictions
1. Florida Gators - The Gators won't have one of college football's all-time greats under center this season, but they still have the most talent in their side of the league. QB John Brantley has big shoes to fill, but he will benefit from playing behind one of the best lines in the league and having a number of talented weapons at his disposal.
2. Georgia Bulldogs - Georgia finished last season strong with a big win over in-state rival Georgia Tech and a blowout of Texas A&M in the Independence Bowl. The Dawgs won four of their last five overall, giving coach Mark Richt's team a lot of confidence heading into the 2010 season.
3. South Carolina Gamecocks - The Gamecocks have a lot of key players back on both sides of the ball leading me to believe they could find a way to win the East. But coach Steve Spurrier is yet to live up to expectations in South Carolina, and he's going to have to make me a believer before I follow him blindly.
4. Tennessee Volunteers - Losing a player like All-American safety Eric Berry and adjusting to yet another new head coach are hurdles the Vols won't be able to overcome in 2010.
5. Kentucky Wildcats - Kentucky has quietly made four straight bowl trips despite struggling against SEC competition. If it hopes to make in five in a row, it will have to take care of business in the non-conference season once again.
6. Vanderbilt Commodores - Vandy can play a little basketball, but it is yet to establish itself as one of the SEC powers. The Commodores went 0-8 in conference play last season with the worst offense in the league. It's just hard to think enough improvement is on the way to get out of the East gutter.
SEC West Predictions
1. Alabama Crimson Tide - Under Nick Saban, the Tide are 26-2 the last two season, and with weapons like Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram back, I love their chances of winning another conference title.
2. Arkansas Razorbacks - Arkansas was the most prolific offensive team in the league last season thanks to spectacular play by QB Ryan Mallet. The problem was a defense which ranked last in the league by allowing over 400 yards per game. The offense will remain potent, and the defense should improve enough to challenge for an SEC title.
3. Auburn Tigers - Gus Malzahn's option attack broke records last season, and it may shatter a few more with talented juco QB Cameron Newton running the show. Much like Arkansas, it's the defensive side of the football that is holding Auburn back.
4. LSU Tigers - Since winning a national title three years ago, the Tigers have remained good but not great. If they want to enter back into national title discussions, they'll have to prove they can beat Florida, Alabama and Mississipi, programs they are 0-6 against the last two years.
5. Ole Miss Rebels - The Rebs were a respectable 9-4 in 2009, but it wasn't the season they had hoped for with talented players like Jevan Snead and Dexter McCluster in place. Now that those guys are gone, taking a step back is inevitable.
6. Mississippi State Bulldogs - Dan Mullen's spread option attack helped the Bulldogs lead the SEC in rushing last season. That was a positive step in the right direction. But there is still a lot or work to be done on the defensive side of the ball before the Bulldogs can become serious contenders.
If you would like to see my predictions for all the college football conferences, make sure you check out my 2010 college football predictions preview.
Crush the college football odds in 2010 with the help of Jimmy Boyd's award-winning football picks!
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